On The Block: Rarities And Curiosities At Bonhams New York (Live Pics And Video)

Flipping through the catalog for today's Bonhams New York auction, we were struck by just how many exceptionally rare and unusual watches will be hitting the block. From an early Rolex chronograph to a painted and cloisonné enamel dialed Patek Philippe to a stunning modern tourbillon from Haldimann, here is a closer look at these unique lots for sale later today.

Flipping through the catalog for today's Bonhams New York auction, we were struck by just how many exceptionally rare and unusual watches will be hitting the block. From an early Rolex chronograph to a painted and cloisonné enamel dialed Patek Philippe to a stunning modern tourbillon from Haldimann, here is a closer look at these unique lots for sale later today.

Rolex Chronographe Anti-Magnetique

We'll start with that Rolex chronograph. A reference 6234 Oyster Chrongraphe Anti-magnetique from circa 1955 (Lot 106), this Rolex houses a Valjoux cal. 72 movement in an anti-magnetic and shock-resistant package. If you look closely, you'll notice that there are two scales for the chronograph, telemeter (in blue) and tachymeter (in black). The seconds ring also has tiny hash marks noting fifths of seconds and both it and the telemeter scale intersect the chronograph hours register at 6 o'clock. It's a quirky Rolex chronograph with a beautiful dial and an estimate of $15,000-20,000.

FP Journe Tourbillon Souveraine

FP Journe Zodiaque

Next up is this pair of watches from F.P. Journe (being sold separately). The first is a platinum Tourbillon Souverain (Lot 124), one of Journe's most talked about watches. It combines a tourbillon with a constant force remontoire mechanism, as well as having a dead beat seconds hand. The second watch here is a less well known creation of Journe's, the Zodiaque (Lot 103), which shows the date as well as the sign of the Zodiac around the outer edge of the dial. This poetic complication was limited to 150 pieces, and this watch is number 16 from the series.

Patek Philippe Eagle Watch

Steel Patek Philippe

These two time-only watches from Patek Philippe Could not be any more different. First we have this extremely unusual watch with a painted and cloisonné enamel dial featuring a bald eagle (Lot 159). The hands are even shaped like eagle feathers. It is one of an edition of four, was sold in 2011, and is still sealed. The other (Lot 147) is as cool and understated as it gets. It is 36mm, stainless steel, and has a straightforward, easy-to-read dial. For an exceptional watch you could wear anytime for any occasion, it doesn't get much cooler than this.

Steel Watch By Kari Voutilainen

Speaking of cool steel watches, Bonhams is also offering a rare steel watch by Kari Voutilainen. It houses a Peseux chronometer movement with lever escapement, which you can see through the sapphire case back. The watch is presented in a beautiful box with a mock winding crown and the estimate is $55,000-70,000.

The MB&F HM 2.2

MB&F always offera a few special editions of each of its horological machines, and the HM 2.2 (Lot 141) is definitely one of the most desirable. Designed with Alain Silberstein, the HM 2.2 was produced in a limited edition of 8 pieces and offers a new design spin on the HM 2 base. The estimate is $40,000-50,000 and you really don't see these very often (for obvious reasons).

Haldimann Tourbillon

Finally, Bonhams also has this amazing Haldimann tourbillon (Lot 158). If you want to talk about small independent brands, Haldimann is about as small and as independent as you can get. Founder Beat Haldimann crafts each piece, and the massive tourbillon at the center of this piece, Tourbillon H1 No.19, is stunning. Check out the live video below: